Economic and demographic changes have affected Cooperative Extension programing. At its inception, extension's primary clientele were rural community members in production agriculture. Although extension has been urbanized, it remains agricultural. Recent declines in farm numbers are due to economic distress, environmental concern, the energy crisis, and technological change. A report of the Futures Task Force emphasizes changes that extension must make to enhance its credibility, its relevance to potential audiences, and the teacher-learner relationship. The vision for extension's future includes the following components: a major shift in its organization and structure; a strong regional structure and joint interstate/multistate programs; cooperative work with state departments and agencies; and the disappearance of county offices. Future support of extension relies on issues programming: how critical issues can be addressed effectively. (Four tables and 24 references are included.) (NLA)